occasion1 nounoccasion2 verb
occasionoc‧ca‧sion1 /əˈkeɪʒən/ ●●● S1 W2 noun 
WORD ORIGINoccasion1
Origin:
1300-1400 French, Latin occasio, from occidere ‘to fall down’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I've suggested that she should move on numerous occasions, but she never takes any notice.
- I remember Michael sleeping in your room on several occasions and mom not knowing about it.
- I went out and bought a new dress just for the occasion.
- It's our wedding anniversary next month, and we're having a party to celebrate the occasion.
- It was quite an occasion. All the local dignitaries were there, dressed in their finest clothes.
- On one occasion, Anna fainted while out shopping with friends.
- She had met Zahid on a previous occasion.
- She was saving four bottles of their best champagne for a special occasion.
- Thanksgiving is a really big occasion in the States.
- The witness said that on both occasions he noticed Davis because of his heavily tattooed arms.
- As I say, it is the chorus which too often fails to rise to the occasion.
- Every new challenge puts all the resources of the communicator to the test, and most solutions belong to the occasion.
- I do not intend to follow that, because we shall have an opportunity to do so on another occasion.
- I had only met her once before the film brought us together, but I remember the occasion well.
- It was a useful occasion for an outing to visit the Casterton dig.
- The control subjects did not receive either placebo or loperamide oxide tablets but underwent an identical series of measurements on one occasion.
THESAURUSa time when something happens
a time when something happens or when you should do something: · The last time I saw her she was in high school.· It’s time for you to go to bed.· The best time to visit Scotland is in late May.
a time when something happens. Occasion is more formal than time: · They have been seen together on several occasions.· The last occasion the two teams met, the Giants won easily.
a particular point in time when something happens: · At that moment (=at exactly that time), the door bell rang.· The next moment she was gone.
a particular time during a longer period of time: · At one point during the play she completely forgot her lines.· the lowest point of the holiday
something that happens, especially something important, interesting, or unusual: · He spoke of the tragic event in which more than 100 people died.· recent political events
formal something that happens – used especially when saying how often something happens: · Divorce is a common occurrence these days.· Storms like this one are fortunately a rare occurrence.· Accidents are almost a daily occurrence on this road.
something that happens, especially something that is unusual or unpleasant, or something that is one of several events: · He died after a violent incident outside a nightclub.· This latest incident could put an end to his career.
an important social event or celebration: · She only wore the dress for special occasions.· It was his 100th birthday, and friends and family gathered to mark the occasion.
[usually singular] something that happens, especially something shocking in political or public life which involves several people and events: · The affair has caused people to lose confidence in their government.
something that happens or exists in society, science, or nature, especially something that is studied because it is difficult to understand: · natural phenomena such as earthquakes· Homelessness is not a new phenomenon.
Longman Language Activatorto deal successfully with a difficult situation to deal successfully with a fairly difficult but ordinary situation: · "How did you manage while you were unemployed?'' "Luckily, I had some savings.''· I'll be away for a week, do you think you can manage on your own?· Helen was always a difficult child. None of her teachers knew how to manage her.· The seminar discusses typical work-related problems and strategies to manage them.
to succeed in dealing with difficult problems in your life, your job, or your relationships: · It's a tough job but I'm sure he'll cope.cope with: · When I got back from holiday, I had an enormous backlog of work to cope with.cope emotionally/financially/psychologically etc: · The kids were very young and it was difficult to cope financially.cope well/successfully/nicely etc: · People who cope successfully with difficult situations usually look ahead and anticipate the circumstances.
to live through an unhappy or unpleasant time in your life, and deal with the problems that it brings: · Her friends helped her to get through the first awful weeks after Bill died.
to be dealing successfully with a difficult situation at the moment: · The police have the situation under control.be under control: · The flight was very bumpy but the pilot assured us that everything was under control.bring something under control (=start to deal with it successfully): · The disease is spreading so fast that it is going to take years to bring it under control.keep something under control: · During the 1990s low oil prices helped to keep inflation under control.
especially spoken /overcome especially written to deal successfully with a problem so that it no longer exists or is not as bad: · I've always wanted to overcome my fear of spiders.· It's perfectly normal to be a bit nervous. I'm sure you'll get over it once you start your presentation.· The school overcame the problem of funding by getting local firms to sponsor them.
to consider, understand, and deal with a very difficult or important problem or situation: · The residents of the small town are still struggling to come to grips with the tragedy.· Teachers must be prepared to spend time getting to grips with new technology.· No country has really got to grips with the problem of nuclear waste.
to deal successfully with a sudden, unexpected situation or problem by trying especially hard: · We are calling on all our employees to rise to the occasion and become more efficient and productive.· The team rose to the challenge and fought back to produce another goal.rise to the challenge of something: · Naylor was one of those men who rise to the challenge of danger.
to deal with an unexpected or difficult problem calmly and confidently: · Liz seems to be taking the divorce in her stride.· Most kids get teased a bit at school - they have to learn to take it in their stride.· Nigel smiled and took the criticism in his stride.
to deal with a problem or difficult situation, by being able to ignore or forget about it: · Kate rose above all the trouble at home and did well in her classes.· Immigrants to the country were struggling to survive and rise above the poverty that surrounded them.
something planned that happens something that happens that has been planned and arranged, for example a party, performance, or sports competition: · Joe's party was a splendid event - about 200 people were there.annual event (=an event that takes place every year): · The town's beer festival is an annual event.social/sporting event: · We have a full programme of social events that take place throughout the year.a golfing/media/diplomatic etc event: · The Ryder Cup is the big golfing event this month.
an important social event, ceremony, or celebration: big/important/special occasion: · She was saving four bottles of their best champagne for a special occasion.· Thanksgiving is a really big occasion in the States.celebrate the occasion: · It's our wedding anniversary next month, and we're having a party to celebrate the occasion.quite an occasion (=a very exciting or important occasion): · It was quite an occasion. All the local dignitaries were there, dressed in their finest clothes.
all the things which happen during an official meeting or discussion, especially in a court of law or in parliament: · You can sit along the back wall of the courtroom to watch the proceedings.· The chairman usually takes charge of the proceedings and decides who will speak next.
old-fashioned in a pleasant way · They had met once on holiday, so they knew each other slightly.· She once called me a liar and I've never forgiven her.· I remember once it snowed on my birthday, and I was so excited.
spoken once: · I remember coming home from school one time and finding we'd been burgled.· One time we went out fishing on the lake at night.
use this to give an example of when something you are talking about happened, especially when it is a particularly interesting or extreme example: · On one occasion, she rang his home and a strange woman answered.· She had some pretty frightening experiences. On one occasion her jeep was hijacked by a group of armed soldiers.
at one time during a period of time, process, or event in the past: · I dieted for many years, and at one stage I weighed only 71 kg.· It was a terrible winter. At one stage all the roads to the village were blocked by snow.· At one stage in the match, he was trailing by three games, but he managed to fight back.
at one time during an activity or period of time in the past: · At one point in the interview, he seemed close to tears.· "You play the piano very well," I remember Mrs Saito remarking at one point.· I had several narrow escapes during the war, at one point just missing death when my plane was shot down.
on a day in the past - use this especially when the exact day does not matter and you are telling the story of what happened: · I was sitting eating my breakfast one day when the telephone rang.· One day when we had nothing else to do, we went down to the river for a swim.· He used to come and go, then one day he went away and never came back.
on one occasion in the past · She once called me a liar - I've never forgiven her.· Once, when I was a little boy, I found a gold watch on the beach.
informal on one occasion in the past: · One time we went out fishing on the lake at night.· Aileen came round to tea one time, and we did our homework together.
on a day, morning, or afternoon in the past - use this when it is not important to say exactly which day it is: · Then, one day he went away and never came back.· I was having my breakfast one morning when the telephone rang.· One day, when we had nothing else to do, we went for a swim in the river.
something that happened on one occasion happened once in the past, but is often typical of what usually happens: · He drinks far too much. On one occasion I saw him drink a whole bottle of vodka.· On one occasion I made the mistake of arriving at work late and my boss has never let me forget it.
if a particular situation existed at one stage during a period in the past, it existed, but only at that time: · It was a terrible winter. At one stage, we had to dig our way out of the house.· At one stage during the competition, it looked as though our team might win.· I went on a diet and at one stage I weighed only 71 kg.
if something happened, especially something interesting or important, at one point during an activity or period of time in the past, it happened then: · At one point in the interview Gorbachev admitted he had made serious mistakes.· "You play the piano very well," I remember Mrs Saito remarking at one point.
a time when something happens a time when someone does something or something happens -- use this especially to talk about something that happens more than once: · Do you remember that time Tim got really drunk at Sarah's party?· Play it really loud this time.the only/same/last etc time: · The last time we ate meat was at Thanksgiving.· The only time I've seen him with a girl was that party at Mike's place.· Give us a call next time you're in town.· That was around the same time that I met Linda.the first/second/third etc time: · Is this the first time you've played pool?· Sandra, that's the third time I've asked you to keep quiet.· Alex won the 100 metres for the fifth time in a row (=he won five times, and no one else won the race in between).four/six/several etc times: · This is my favourite film - I've seen it five times.· It's silly -- I've met him several times, but I can never remember his name.a number of times formal (=use this to say something happened several times): · She's been to Greece a number of times.· I've heard Jessie play a number of times, and I think he's great.every/each time: · Every time I met her, she asked me about the children.time when: · Do you remember the time when Dad lost the car keys?
formal a time when something happens: on one/that etc occasion: · The witness said that on both occasions he noticed Davis because of his heavily tattooed arms.· On one occasion, Anna fainted while out shopping with friends.· She had met Zahid on a previous occasion.on numerous/several occasions (=use this to emphasize that something happened many times): · I've suggested that she should move on numerous occasions, but she never takes any notice.· I remember Michael sleeping in your room on several occasions and mom not knowing about it.
an exact time when something happens, during a longer process or series of events: · The play went well, apart from one embarrassing moment when I dropped a cup.· At several points during the meeting, Adler threatened to walk out.· My most special moment with dad was when I was announced as the winner of Junior Beauty Contest.moment/point in time: · At that precise moment in time, Binh walked in.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1adjectives
I’ve met her twice but only on formal occasions. Mrs Lawson was presented with a gold watch to mark the occasion. His colleagues all recognized that this was a momentous occasion. The two leaders have worked together on numerous occasions. I only saw Helen on the rare occasions when I went into her shop. The good china was used only on special occasions.
· He has helped me on several occasions.
· I have seen him drunk on many occasions.
· She has been late on numerous occasions.
· He was given a red card on two occasions this season.
(=used when something does not happen often)· Only on rare occasions did she ever receive a letter.
· On that particular occasion, he greeted me by kissing my hand.
· He insisted then, as on every previous occasion, that he was innocent.
· I had heard this story on at least four separate occasions.
· The same person can react differently on different occasions.
(=an occasion like the one mentioned or described)· He had a box of toys by his desk for such occasions.
phrases· The crowd interrupted her speech on a number of occasions.
(=more than once)· She stayed out all night on more than one occasion.
(=once, and probably more than once)· On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.
Meaning 2adjectives· She used her best china on special occasions.
· The big occasion for country people was the Agricultural Fair.
· He wore the suit on formal occasions.
· I prefer not to discuss business at social occasions.
(=a very formal official occasion)· The gowns are worn only on ceremonial occasions.
· The wedding had been a joyful occasion.
· He did not want his funeral to be a sad and solemn occasion, but a celebration of his life.
(=when you celebrate something)· The Great Hall had been prepared for the festive occasion.
(=important as part of history)· This is truly a historic occasion.
verbs· To celebrate the occasion, a small party was held at his home.
(=do something special to celebrate an event)· The bells were rung to mark the occasion.
· The table was decorated to suit the occasion.
phrases (=a feeling that an event is very special or important)· The music gave the event a real sense of occasion.
(=join in a social occasion in an eager way)· People entered into the spirit of the occasion by enjoying a picnic before the outdoor concert.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I’ve met her twice but only on formal occasions. Mrs Lawson was presented with a gold watch to mark the occasion. His colleagues all recognized that this was a momentous occasion. The two leaders have worked together on numerous occasions. I only saw Helen on the rare occasions when I went into her shop. (=a feeling that an event is special or important)· It was a marvellous day and there was a real sense of occasion.
The good china was used only on special occasions.· I thought a simple black dress would suit the occasion.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Sentences can therefore express different propositions on different occasions of use.· On fourteen different occasions the Volunteer found the tires of his jeep either deflated or punctured.· Even the same person reacts differently on different occasions, depending on how fit they are and on other circumstances at that time.· Children received portions of the family property on different occasions over long periods of time.· The specific policies and rhetoric have been different as the occasion demanded.· To complicate matters, figures quoted on different occasions often disagreed.· But, unknown to Mobuto, Ngune had tried on three different occasions to have Jamel killed.· The relevant 1674 images show two different occasions, both courtly.
· Hence peace-makings were solemn and formal occasions, committing groups of people to restraint.· It is sung at family celebrations like this one, but also at more formal occasions.· The rules are most useful on formal occasions like weddings, and particularly when they happen only once in a lifetime.· Or rather, they photograph you only on formal occasions: birthdays, weddings, Christmas.· As a result, social contacts were mainly peripheral, or occurred at formal social occasions.
· I have used this service for selling, although more so on the buying side, having been tempted on numerous occasions!· Agents say they met on numerous occasions with Earp in his office in the boiler room.· Since then, he has been late on numerous occasions and we believe his alcohol consumption has increased.· The staff had heard it before on numerous occasions but nothing as severe or as noisy as on this particular night.· He was extremely good-looking, and extremely charming, generous to his scout, and to Mr Bullins on numerous occasions.· Belfast Crown Court heard that the couple's six-year relationship had been stormy and that they had hit each other on numerous occasions.· Again in common with many ENs, I was unsuccessful on numerous occasions.· He's been pictured prancing the night away with 26-year-old Joanne on numerous occasions.
· On the odd occasion the jollities would get out of hand and the fists would fly.· The odd moments and occasions were legion.· Not on the odd occasion, but each time they took this fit.· However, on the odd occasion that I purchase fish elsewhere, I do quarantine the fish for two weeks.· The 69-year-old man, from Elsdon Street, handed over the cash on odd occasions over the past year.
· It was the only occasion I saw inside and it made me hungry to go again.· The only occasion when you won't get far without it is when the deceased is being sent abroad.· I had a fling with some one when I was at college, but that was the only occasion.· Under the new system the centre-half's only occasion for going up-field was to force the attack to make up goals lost.· This was the only occasion that the state made such a count.· The only occasion when rail closures were raised in my time at the Transport Department was in the spring of 1981.· Neckbands are I think the only occasion on which I estimate needles.· On the only occasion he was beaten he finished a good third against older opposition in the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp.
· The current classic paddle strokes are fine in certain circumstance but there are other occasions when different techniques are needed.· Divisional Secretaries, please keep the magazine informed of meetings, dinners and any other occasion that your Division is involved in.· However, there is on other occasions a remarkable similarity of techniques, of clothes and of weapons.· On other occasions the encoding process might be the result of a great deal of consideration.· This was not one of the women he had peeped at on other occasions.· On other occasions we detect language which can only be that of James, the third-person narrator.· Recalling how Meh'Lindi had been violated on that other occasion, Jaq feared for her sanity once her psychic hood was removed.· There are other comparatively rare occasions when the seller's solicitors prepare the draft.
· Although this particular occasion was rather marred by our mishap it was great to meet old friends again.· But on one particular occasion, he greeted me by kissing my hand.· It may be that a judge is well qualified to conduct enquiries to establish what took place on particular occasions.· On any particular occasion of measurement, however, we are unable to predict which possibility will be realised.· On that particular occasion matters went wrong.· The reference of chair would therefore be a particular chair that is being identified on a particular occasion.· On this particular occasion however, it is a nifty little flying saucer.
· She has played the role on three previous occasions.· Nurse Ian Ballantyne, 26, alleged that Mr Stockton had gone without his medicine on previous occasions.· This time, as on many previous occasions, it didn't work out.· That he had on previous occasions overcome his antipathy to women is suggested by remarks he made to others.· On each previous occasion he had been acquitted on all charges.· It was a procedure that had been carried out, albeit with some difficulty, on a number of previous occasions.· You should tell the plaintiff anything that you know about the defendant's doctor from previous occasions.
· So on the rare occasions they did report themselves in a State of Readiness they knew an Agile Blade was likely.· Except for rare occasions, he gave up spying.· My most pressing experience of Wigg as a tipster was on one of the rare occasions when I went to the Derby.· On rare occasions, they preach.· There are other comparatively rare occasions when the seller's solicitors prepare the draft.· Several astronomers reported that, on rare occasions, they could see something akin to these canals.· It was a rare occasion when the best able bodied and disabled athletes applauded each others talents.· The rare person who on the rare occasion wants to be wholly neutral has to walk a tightrope.
· The blips appeared on three separate occasions, and each time the lowest instrument showed the biggest jump.· On two separate occasions I've heard her voice beyond the door.· If the burial service follows a church service on a separate occasion, a fee will be charged.· There are reasonable approximations of bicarbonate and alkali secretion for each subject on separate occasions.· And that applied whether the words were spoken on separate occasions or all together.· Patient isolates and control strains were coded and tested blind on at least two separate occasions.
· Apparently Mr Baker had met him on a social occasion, and had been impressed by his traditionalist views.· This is my first social occasion in the village.· Aim to make mealtimes and refreshment breaks social occasions.· Hard work but just as much a social occasion for everyone to gather together.· It was no longer a social occasion, or a family occasion - it was a holy occasion.· Many felt this social occasion should be continued but perhaps in a different form.· Mealtimes were not just for eating, but were important social occasions.
· Apart from special occasions, this completes the hotel picture.· Are they going to be your serviceable everyday sets or only used on special occasions?· Whether it's a power lunch or a romantic dinner, a meal at Cicada always feels like a special occasion.· She would wear it for Chapel Anniversary, I would think, because that was a very special occasion in Baldersdale.· Formerly it heralded special occasions and, it is said, will be blown to announce the coming of the Messiah.· The week begun with Dalglish dominating Merseyside once again in the build up for this special occasion.· He did not want anyone to think of this as a special occasion.
VERB· To mark the occasion Newtownards mayor Wilbert Magill will be officiating at the ceremony.· He marked the occasion with a quiet dinner with Brand and teammate Cuttino Mobley.· Clwyd's Euro Week starts today with a special edition of Clwyd Connections published to mark the occasion by the county council.· The following books are either now in stores or will soon be released to mark the occasion.· The 1992 Richmond Meet is being marked as a historic occasion by having the first female Meet president.· Y., wore her Sunday best, a floral dress, to mark the occasion.· It seemed not to seek to impose itself but merely to mark the occasion.· Thirty-three years on, his fans gathered there to mark the occasion, and Aileen Taylor was with them.
· I had only met her once before the film brought us together, but I remember the occasion well.· I remember one occasion also when I was tracking an animal, a buffalo, with a Bushman.· I can't confirm that but I do remember the one occasion that he missed his target.· I actually remember one occasion when we did our three pieces before eight o'clock in the morning.· He remembered an occasion about two months before.· He remembered the occasion when they had paid a visit to St Whatever-it-was on Magdalen bridge in Oxford.· I remember one occasion when I was about four years old.· She could even remember the occasion when she had first lied as a little girl.
· Which means that even the most delicate of dishes will rise to the occasion.· Too many leaders, motivated by self-interest, had failed to rise to the occasion.· As I say, it is the chorus which too often fails to rise to the occasion.· Bench strength could be suspect, but it has risen to the occasion the past two playoff runs.· Sunderland again rose to the occasion against better opposition and just about deserved to get the points to ease their relegation worries considerably.· No doubt when money is required in the future Long Riston residents will rise to the occasion once more.· Devastated by her husband's death, she was uncertain she could rise to the occasion.· Yet they rose to the occasion.
· Will its foes use the occasion of Kabila s death to press home their advantage?· There has been some speculation that Dole may use the occasion to announce some high-profile Cabinet appointments, should he be elected.· Tuesday 15 April 1746 was Cumberland's twenty-fifth birthday and he used the occasion to give his troops a rest.· The call for special deposits was used on fifteen occasions between June 1960 and the end of 1966.· But Edwin Forrest used this occasion for his own ends.· The daily Tageszeitung used the occasion to relaunch the debate about legalising the use of cannabis.· Hariri, the prime minister, used the occasion to raise pledges of $ 3. 2 billion in contributions for reconstruction.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► if (the) occasion arisesPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Julie drops by my place on occasion.
- Although it is not continuous, it is observed on the occasion of some miracles.
- In May 1985, on the occasion of the centenary, hundreds of people thronged the platform, many in Victorian costume.
- Ragged urchins, of course, sitting on those school benches on the occasions of her visits.
- In Bali a cremation is a festive occasion, lavish and expensive.
- It was a festive occasion and the group had baked its own Communion bread.
- The Great Hall had been specially prepared for the festive occasion.
- The harvest, or vintage, is a family festive occasion.
- However, on the odd occasion that I purchase fish elsewhere, I do quarantine the fish for two weeks.
- Not on the odd occasion, but each time they took this fit.
- On the odd occasion the jollities would get out of hand and the fists would fly.
- This doesn't matter on the odd occasion; it is only a problem if it occurs regularly.
- We've been working on the Panch Chule expedition for a year, but it's just the odd day basically.
- We just used to banter, have the odd drink together, fool around in the snow.
- Barragan rose to the occasion and defeated his opponent.
- Naylor was one of those men who rise to the challenge of danger.
- The team rose to the challenge and fought back to produce another goal.
- We are calling on all our employees to rise to the occasion and become more efficient and productive.
- And Charles noted with relief how Alex was rising to the challenge.
- Bench strength could be suspect, but it has risen to the occasion the past two playoff runs.
- Of course, many princes rose to the challenge, but each lost his life in the quest.
- Rather than offer pure fantasy, the fashion gurus rose to the challenge of suggesting truly flattering, appropriate and stylish options.
- Sunderland again rose to the occasion against better opposition and just about deserved to get the points to ease their relegation worries considerably.
- The academic community was slower in rising to the challenge.
- Which means that even the most delicate of dishes will rise to the occasion.
- Who will rise to the challenge?
WORD FAMILYnounoccasionadjectiveoccasionaladverboccasionally
1time a)[countable] a time when something happenson ... occasions I’ve seen Jana with them on several occasions. On this occasion we were sitting in a park in Madrid. She had met Zahid on two separate occasions. b)[singular] a suitable or favourable timeoccasion for This was the occasion for expressions of friendship by the two presidents. ► Do not use occasion to mean ‘a time when it is possible for you to do what you want to do’. Use opportunity or chance: Do not waste this opportunity (NOT this occasion).► see thesaurus at time2special event [countable] an important social event or ceremony: I’m saving this bottle of champagne for a special occasion.► see thesaurus at event3cause/reason [uncountable] formal a cause or reason: His remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel. I had occasion to call on him last year.4if (the) occasion arises formal if a particular action ever becomes necessary: If ever the occasion arises when I want advice, you’re the first person I’ll come to.5on occasion sometimes but not often: On occasion, prisoners were allowed visits from their families.6on the occasion of something formal at the time of an important event: on the occasion of his second wedding → rise to the occasion at rise1(9)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1adjectivesseveral occasions· He has helped me on several occasions.many occasions· I have seen him drunk on many occasions.numerous occasions· She has been late on numerous occasions.two/three etc occasions· He was given a red card on two occasions this season.a rare occasion (=used when something does not happen often)· Only on rare occasions did she ever receive a letter.a particular occasion· On that particular occasion, he greeted me by kissing my hand.a previous occasion· He insisted then, as on every previous occasion, that he was innocent.a separate occasion· I had heard this story on at least four separate occasions.a different occasion· The same person can react differently on different occasions.such occasions (=an occasion like the one mentioned or described)· He had a box of toys by his desk for such occasions.phrasesa number of occasions· The crowd interrupted her speech on a number of occasions.more than one occasion (=more than once)· She stayed out all night on more than one occasion.at least one occasion (=once, and probably more than once)· On at least one occasion he was arrested for robbery.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesa special occasion· She used her best china on special occasions.a big/great/splendid occasion· The big occasion for country people was the Agricultural Fair.a formal occasion· He wore the suit on formal occasions.a social occasion· I prefer not to discuss business at social occasions.a ceremonial occasion (=a very formal official occasion)· The gowns are worn only on ceremonial occasions.a happy/joyful occasion· The wedding had been a joyful occasion.a sad/solemn occasion· He did not want his funeral to be a sad and solemn occasion, but a celebration of his life.a festive occasion (=when you celebrate something)· The Great Hall had been prepared for the festive occasion.a historic occasion (=important as part of history)· This is truly a historic occasion.verbscelebrate an occasion· To celebrate the occasion, a small party was held at his home.mark an occasion (=do something special to celebrate an event)· The bells were rung to mark the occasion.suit the occasion· The table was decorated to suit the occasion.phrasesa sense of occasion (=a feeling that an event is very special or important)· The music gave the event a real sense of occasion.enter into the spirit of the occasion (=join in a social occasion in an eager way)· People entered into the spirit of the occasion by enjoying a picnic before the outdoor concert.occasion1 nounoccasion2 verb
occasionoccasion2 verb [transitive] formal VERB TABLE
occasion
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | occasion |
| he, she, it | occasions | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | occasioned |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have occasioned |
| he, she, it | has occasioned | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had occasioned |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will occasion |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have occasioned |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am occasioning |
| he, she, it | is occasioning | |
| you, we, they | are occasioning | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was occasioning |
| you, we, they | were occasioning | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been occasioning |
| he, she, it | has been occasioning | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been occasioning |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be occasioning |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been occasioning |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Milton's mismanagement of the company occasioned the loss of thousands of jobs.
- As with so many things, I was ignorant of the conditions that occasioned change.
- For government was occasioned by the needs of capitalism and the acquisitive mentality which capitalism produced.
- The girl's solitary state occasioned a good deal of sympathy, and in some cases, even stronger feelings.
- The theological debates occasioned by this crisis of identity occupied the generation of Jerome and Augustine.
- Which occasioned even more horn blowing, and heads out the window shouting.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I’ve met her twice but only on formal occasions. Mrs Lawson was presented with a gold watch to mark the occasion. His colleagues all recognized that this was a momentous occasion. The two leaders have worked together on numerous occasions. I only saw Helen on the rare occasions when I went into her shop. The good china was used only on special occasions.
I’ve met her twice but only on formal occasions. Mrs Lawson was presented with a gold watch to mark the occasion. His colleagues all recognized that this was a momentous occasion. The two leaders have worked together on numerous occasions. I only saw Helen on the rare occasions when I went into her shop. (=a feeling that an event is special or important)· It was a marvellous day and there was a real sense of occasion.
The good china was used only on special occasions.· I thought a simple black dress would suit the occasion.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· He was charged with unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm and with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.· Taxi driver Mason admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on January 3 and arson between January 2 and 5.· Section 47 creates the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.· Garrington admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Ian Dixon and he was fined £50.· In March 1989 the police officer was served with summonses alleging two offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.· He also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
· He was charged with unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm and with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.· Taxi driver Mason admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on January 3 and arson between January 2 and 5.· Section 47 creates the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.· Garrington admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Ian Dixon and he was fined £50.· In March 1989 the police officer was served with summonses alleging two offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.· In Spratt, though interpretations vary, the Court of Appeal seems to have required intentionally or recklessly occasioning actual bodily harm.· He also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
to cause something: - In Bali a cremation is a festive occasion, lavish and expensive.
- It was a festive occasion and the group had baked its own Communion bread.
- The Great Hall had been specially prepared for the festive occasion.
- The harvest, or vintage, is a family festive occasion.
- However, on the odd occasion that I purchase fish elsewhere, I do quarantine the fish for two weeks.
- Not on the odd occasion, but each time they took this fit.
- On the odd occasion the jollities would get out of hand and the fists would fly.
- This doesn't matter on the odd occasion; it is only a problem if it occurs regularly.
- We've been working on the Panch Chule expedition for a year, but it's just the odd day basically.
- We just used to banter, have the odd drink together, fool around in the snow.
- Barragan rose to the occasion and defeated his opponent.
- Naylor was one of those men who rise to the challenge of danger.
- The team rose to the challenge and fought back to produce another goal.
- We are calling on all our employees to rise to the occasion and become more efficient and productive.
- And Charles noted with relief how Alex was rising to the challenge.
- Bench strength could be suspect, but it has risen to the occasion the past two playoff runs.
- Of course, many princes rose to the challenge, but each lost his life in the quest.
- Rather than offer pure fantasy, the fashion gurus rose to the challenge of suggesting truly flattering, appropriate and stylish options.
- Sunderland again rose to the occasion against better opposition and just about deserved to get the points to ease their relegation worries considerably.
- The academic community was slower in rising to the challenge.
- Which means that even the most delicate of dishes will rise to the occasion.
- Who will rise to the challenge?
She had a long career break occasioned by her husband’s job being moved to Paris.occasion somebody something Your behaviour has occasioned us a great deal of anxiety.